Jon’s view is that while some cases can only ever be resolved by using the court process, wherever possible couples should resist the temptation to rush to court and should instead try to reach an agreement outside the court process. Therefore, while he has continued to practice as a litigator in the Family Court, he also trained as a collaborative lawyer in 2007 and then later trained as a family mediator in 2011. He is also a Resolution accredited specialist solicitor, with a particular specialism in financial cases and disputes about children. 

 

Jon has acted for client in a large number of collaborative cases since 2007. This work has sometimes involved very high value cases, but also the more common type of medium value cases. Jon has developed good working relationships with many other collaborative lawyers, which tends to increase the chances that a couple will be able to reach an agreement in the collaborative process with the help of their solicitors. 

 

Jon often finds that what makes the collaborative process well suited to divorce financial disputes is the ability of the parties to ensure that they maintain a good working relationship in relation to their children, that they can reach an agreement that both sides feel is fair and meets their needs, and that they are able to retain control of the outcome while avoiding the high fees involved in litigation through the court.